Job 9:1-35 NIrV

[1] Job replied, [2] “I’m sure that what you have said is true. But how can human beings prove to God they are not guilty? [3] They might wish to argue with him. But they couldn’t answer him even once in a thousand times. [4] His wisdom is deep. His power is great. No one opposes him and comes away unharmed. [5] He moves mountains, and they don’t even know it. When he is angry, he turns them upside down. [6] He shakes the earth loose from its place. He makes its pillars tremble. [7] When he tells the sun not to shine, it doesn’t. He turns off the light of the stars. [8] He’s the only one who can spread out the heavens. He alone can walk on the waves of the ocean. [9] He made the Big Dipper and Orion. He created the Pleiades and the southern stars. [10] He does wonderful things that can’t be understood. He does miracles that can’t even be counted. [11] When he passes by me, I can’t see him. When he goes past me, I can’t recognize him. [12] If he takes something, who can stop him? Who would dare to ask him, ‘What are you doing?’ [13] God doesn’t hold back his anger. Even the helpers of the sea monster Rahab bowed in fear at his feet. [14] “So how can I disagree with God? How can I possibly argue with him? [15] Even if I hadn’t done anything wrong, I couldn’t answer him. I could only beg my Judge to have mercy on me. [16] Suppose I called out to him and he answered. I don’t believe he’d listen to me. [17] He would send a storm to crush me. He’d increase my wounds without any reason. [18] He wouldn’t let me catch my breath. He’d make my life very bitter. [19] If it’s a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it’s a matter of being fair, who would dare to bring charges against him? [20] Even if I hadn’t sinned, what I said would prove me guilty. Even if I were honest, my words would show that I’m wrong. [21] “Even though I’m honest, I’m not concerned about myself. I hate my own life. [22] It all amounts to the same thing. That’s why I say, ‘God destroys honest people and sinful people alike.’ [23] Suppose a plague brings sudden death. Then he laughs when those who haven’t sinned lose hope. [24] Suppose a nation falls into the power of sinful people. Then God makes its judges blind to the truth. If he isn’t the one doing it, who is? [25] “God, my days race by like a runner. They fly away without seeing any joy. [26] They speed along like papyrus boats. They are like eagles swooping down on their food. [27] Suppose I say, ‘I’ll forget about all my problems. I’ll change my frown into a smile.’ [28] Then I’d still be afraid I’d go on suffering. That’s because I know you would say I had done something wrong. [29] In fact, you have already said I’m guilty. So why should I struggle without any reason? [30] Suppose I clean myself with soap. Suppose I wash my hands with cleanser. [31] Even then you would throw me into a muddy pit. And even my clothes would hate me. [32] “God isn’t a mere human being like me. I can’t answer him. We can’t take each other to court. [33] I wish someone would settle matters between us. I wish someone would bring us together. [34] I wish someone would keep God from punishing me. Then his terror wouldn’t frighten me anymore. [35] I would speak up without being afraid of him. But as things stand now, I can’t do that.